Being a center of the country, the capital of Georgia Tbilisi is expanding every year as new buildings appear. Along with the development progress the presence of green areas in the city become more and more important. It would be perfect if City Hall and construction companies worked harder about making the city more sustainable, green, eco-friendly and less polluted. But before that, we would like to introduce you to several existing parks and green zones you can enjoy while wandering around the town.
Giorgi Leonidze Garden
Photo Source: insi.ge
One of the first public parks, previously known as Alexander Garden, is located in the very heart of the city, divided by Tabukashvili Street. Upper side being an April 9 Garden and the lower part Giorgi Leonidze Garden, named after historical occasion and famous Georgian writer, respectively. From the Rustaveli Avenue side, the garden is surrounded by the National Gallery and Kashueti Church.
Dedaena Garden
Photo Source: insi.ge
Dedaena Garden, also known as Skate Park, is just 3 minutes away from Leonidze Garden. Passing “Dry Bridge” one can notice flea market, with different old vintage stuff and soviet memorabilia. Dedaena Garden is a multifunctional space, famous with its bars, cafes, art market and Skating area, purpose-built recreational environment made for skateboarding, scooter, bicycle and roller-skating.
Vere Garden
Photo Source: Georgian Travel Guide
Vere Garden is located in Vere District, right next to Tbilisi Philharmonic Concert Hall. One can find this place very relaxing and entertaining at the same time, the park is full of areas for sport activities like tennis courts, pool halls and kids’ playgrounds. There is a historical Chess Palace as well and don’t be surprised if you see a group of war veterans and pensioners playing chess, checkers or cards, near that building.
Mtatsminda Park
Photo Source: Georgian Travel Guide
Mtatsminda Park is located on the highest point in Tbilisi. You can get there by Funicular tram from Chonkadze street, or by N124 bus from Rustaveli Avenue. Mtatsminda park is famous for its historical Tbilisi TV Tower, ferris wheel and an old restaurant. There are two amusement parks, Bombora is for kids and the second one with extreme attractions for adults. At night, it gets beautiful with views over the whole city, sparkling with street lights. Park hosts different festivals throughout the year.
Mziuri Park
Photo Source: artstudio.ge
Mziuri Park is located on Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue, with statues of famous Georgian writer Nodar Dumbadze’s characters welcoming its visitors. Decades ago the park was famous for its cable car and an old amphitheater. In 2015, as a result of the landslide in the Vere River bed, the park was flooded and terribly damaged. Recently it was renovated and eventually Mziuri Park was granted a new life with its skate park, new green zones, big playground, cycle tracks and small artificial lake but with real swans.
Vake Park
Photo Source: Georgian Travel Guide
Just two kilometers from Mziuri Park, there is a 200 hectare big green area of the city Vake Park. Fountain Cascades followed by staircases, meet World War II Memorial. The park is a perfect place to rest, feel the nature and fresh air, although there are entertaining activities for every age, an amusement park for kids, tennis courts, table tennis, cafes and a cable car connecting to Turtle Lake.
Tbilisi Botanical Garden
Photo Source: Georgian Travel Guide
Tbilisi Botanical Garden is located in the historical old town part of Tbilisi. One can get there from Abanotubani Sulphur Baths, by pavement ascent going to the central entrance of the garden. 128,000 hectare big garden presents rich collections of flora from different regions of Georgia and the world. There are several bridges over the Tsavkisistskali (Also known as Leghvtakhevi) river within the garden. Among them, the arched bridge over the waterfall in the central part of the garden. Every spring one can witness the blooming period of Sakura trees in Japanese Garden.
One of the exits, leads to historical Narikala Fortress ruins and Mother of Kartli statue. Sport activity lovers can enjoy climbing rock walls and zip-line located inside of the garden.
Rike Park
Photo Source: Tbilisi Local Guide
While enjoying walking around Tbilisi Botanical Garden, one can use a cable car going down from Narikala Fortress to Rike Park, another green and relaxing zone located near the historical part of the city. Park is full of attractions and entertaining activities, there are walking trails, amphitheater, kids zones, fountains, and somehow a statue of Ronald Reagan.
Another way to get to the park is the historical Metekhi Bridge, crossing Mtkvari River or a glass-made Peace Bridge, a famous photo spot for tourists.
Tbilisi Zoo
Photo Source: Georgian Travel Guide
Tbilisi Zoo is located near Freedom Square, in the valley of Vere River. It’s the most exotic park in the capital. One can visit both representatives of the local fauna and resident animals from different parts of the world like white lions, asian jackals and elephants, white rhinoceros, hippopotamus and others. The zoo’s collection of birds is also diverse – raptors, different types of pheasants and colorful parrots, peacocks, etc. There are around 200 species at the zoo, among them are endangered species, which have survived in small quantities in nature.
Tbilisi Zoo is implementing a conservation project for endangered species in Georgia – red deer, white goat and Western Caucasian tur. Orphaned bear cubs are also being rehabilitated in the zoo. Children are drawn to the zoo’s diverse array of animals and there are amusement park attractions as well.
Mushtaidi Park
Photo Source: Georgian Travel Guide
Located on the corner of Agmashenebeli Avenue and Tsabadze street, Mushtaidi Park is one of the favorite green zones among kids. There is a lot of entertainment for children. One of the special attractions of Mushtaidi Park is the children’s train, which circulates around the park.
Dighomi Forest-Park
Photo Source: Georgian Travel Guide
Digomi Forest-Park is located in Digomi Massive between Akhmeteli and Ljubljana streets. At the beginning in 1934 there was a Tbilisi plant nursery. Park also had the function of a windbreak. Nowadays the park is a recreation zone and a great place to have a rest and walk around a forest. There are about 7,000 species of plants in the park, both local and imported varieties. Most of the local plants are included in the “Red List of Threatened Species” of Georgia.
